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Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Local official are talking about plans to memorialize Ray Flynn, former Mayor of Boston and U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, in the coming months, in appreciation of his distinguished career as a public official and advocate for the poor.

A native of South Boston, Flynn has spent his career promoting economic justice for working families. He is also recognized nationally as a leader of Irish-American issues such as immigration reform and peace in Northern Ireland.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Stepcrew, a new dance troupe featuring Canadian, Irish and tap dance, is performing at the Boston Summer Arts Weekend festival on Saturday, July 26, 2014 in Copley Square Park. The concert is free and open to the public.

Comprised of champion dancers and musicians who have toured with the Chieftains, Cherish the Ladies and Bowfire, Stepcrew brings a dynamic fusion of three distinct styles of dancing that is both athletic and aesthetic. They're performing at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday on the main stage.

The 28th annual Lowell Folk Festival is taking place July 25-27, 2014 at Lowell National Historical Park. The event is free and open to the public, and $10 donations are suggested.

Nearly two dozen artists are performing this year, representing ethnic cultures and nations around the world, from the United States and Ireland to East Africa and Japan. Here is a list of the performers.

Irish traditional artists include fiddler James Kelly and pianist Donna Long, who are performing as a duo; and the singer Sean Keane and his band from County Galway, which will feature Rhode Island dancer Kevin Doyle.

In addition to the music and dance, the Lowell Folk Festival also features exhibits of artisan crafts and a variety of ethnic foods.

Also of interest is the Lowell Summer Music Series at Boarding House Park that features a variety of performances each week in rock, jazz, folk and country as well as music for children. It runs through September 6, 2014.

"It’s a wonderful family event that celebrates Scottish
heritage in Massachusetts and the New England states," says BITA director Colette Quinlin. Among the day's activities:
continuous Scottish music and dancing, a gathering of Scottish clans and
societies, bagpipe competitions, athletic contests and plenty of authentic
Irish products, including food, beverage and gifts.

Western Massachusetts has
Scottish connections that date back to 1753, when Ulster Scots settled there,
according to festival organizer Peter Langmore.
Read
the full story here.

You can find year round details on Irish and Scottish
activities in New England by visiting IrishMassachusetts.com.

Commissioner Finn has a distinguished 30 year career in the Boston Fire Department, and was also in the United States Marines. Here is the press release on today's announcement.

Mayor Walsh said that Finn "possesses a broad and impressive understanding of the Boston
Fire Department, including personnel, public safety, and administration," adding that Finn's "experience and leadership style, along with his commitment to
diversity and fairness, will help move our Fire Department into an even more
successful era of service to the people of Boston."

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Boston is welcoming a new
Irish festival to town this fall, as iFest makes its North American debut at
the Seaport World Trade Center on September
26-28, 2014.

Described as a premium showcase of contemporary Irish
culture, entertainment and innovation, iFest features an all-star cast of
culinary innovators, leading musicians and dancers, fashion designers and
athletes to present a taste of modern Ireland.

Among iFest's supporters are Tourism Ireland, Irish Food Board, Aer Lingus, Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau Guinness and Jameson Irish Whiskey, so patrons will be treated to plenty of
cooking demonstrations and food displays, along with whiskey and beer tastings. Literally, iFest is going to offer a taste of
Ireland.

On the culinary front, iFest has engaged top Irish chefs Darina Allen, Kevin Dundon and Catherine Fulvio to showcase their respective culinary work and also have teamed up with Boston’s grand chef
Barbara Lynch for some cooking demonstrations. And Maura Kilpatrick of Oleana Restaurant,
named Greater Boston’s “Best Pastry Chef” several years running, is organizing
afternoon teas with Bewley’s Irish Tea of Dublin.

On the cultural front, iFest is
presenting a literary salon, a genealogy master-class, film screenings,
stand-up comedy, theater and a display of contemporary and classic art and
heritage pieces from Ireland’s
major museums.

As always with an Irish gathering, there is plenty of music. On the traditional music side, uilleann piping master Paddy Moloney of the Chieftains performs along with accordion maestro Damien Mullane. Ireland’s Indi-Pop band the Heathers,
featuring twin sisters Louise and Ellie Macnamara, is performing, plus the
break-out rock band Riptide Movement, whose single “Getting Through,” was
Number One on the Irish charts this spring.

The world-famous Riverdance troupe is planning a special ceili dance for the Boston audience.

Irish designer Louise Kennedy has put together a top Irish
Fashion & Design Catwalk, and nearby is a Shop Ireland Mall complete with
the latest Irish fashions.

Irish sports get a showing at iFest, with a traveling
exhibit on the Gaelic Athletic Association and film highlights of some of Ireland’s
classic matches over the years.

And finally, you’ll have a chance to see what Irish
hospitality is all about, as Tourism Ireland staff showcase holiday and travel opportunities that will inspire you to take a
trip to Ireland.

For local information on Irish cultural events year round, visit IrishBoston.org.

Friday, July 4, 2014

Singer/songwriter Damien Dempsey is performing at the Brighton Music Hall in Boston on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. The talented Dublin musician is hailed as a voice of his generation, influenced by Woody Guthrie and Bruce Springsteen as well as Christy Moore and Andy Irvine.